Beef lovers face off in Brooklin burger battle

Shamrock Burgers holds first eating championship

Beef lovers face off in Brooklin burger battle

Tara Hatherly / Metroland

BROOKLIN -- Julian Storms from Whitby and William Tarkington from Peterborough face off, along with three others, at Shamrock Burgers' first annual World Monster Sham Eating Championship. Mr. Storms scarfed down more Monster Sham burgers than his competition, earning himself bragging rights, a medal and a place at the championship final showdown in Scarborough. January 12, 2013.

Big Eater

Tara Hatherly/ Metroland

BROOKLIN -- Julian Storms from Whitby poses with his medal and Monster Sham burger at Shamrock Burgers' first annual World Monster Sham Eating Championship. Mr. Storms won the competition, earning himself bragging rights, a medal and a place at the championship final showdown in Scarborough. Saturday, January 13, 2013.

WHITBY -- Five beef lovers put their passion to the test Saturday, Jan. 12, facing off in a burger-eating contest at Shamrock Burgers in Brooklin.

At the first annual World Monster Sham Eating Championship, five male contestants had 10 minutes to eat as many Monster Sham burgers as possible. The Monster Sham features two 10-ounce beef patties and cheese on a kaiser.

Spectators packed the restaurant at 200 Carnwith Dr. E. to cheer on competitors, enjoying free french fries and onion rings while they watched.

Taking on the challenge were Julian Storms from Whitby, William Tarkington from Peterborough and Drew Mann, Chris Mulford and James Budzik from Brooklin. Though Mr. Tarkington lives far from Shamrock Burgers, he stops there often on his way to Toronto for work.

The men were fighting for the honour of Brooklin champion, and a chance to compete for grand champion against the winner from Shamrock Burgers' Scarborough location.

The guys started with two burgers each, with Joel Friedman, vice-president of Shamrock Burgers, bringing more as needed. Mr. Friedman also placed buckets nearby in case anyone ate more than they could handle.

After a countdown from Mr. Friedman, the burger battlers began filling their faces as fast as they could.

During the first half of the competition, Mr. Storms quickly took the lead. In the second half, he slowed down into his third burger as it became clear the other competitors weren't going to catch up. The only contestant to make it through a second burger and on to a third, he was crowned the winner and awarded a medal for his top honour.

Another contestant wasn't as lucky, needing one of the buckets Mr. Friedman had placed nearby.

"I feel great that I won, but I feel like going for a nap right now," joked Mr. Storms after the competition, adding he had a feeling he would win.

Mr. Budzik took his spot at the table on short notice, filling in for a neighbour who fell ill the day before.

"I am stuffed," he said afterward, adding with a laugh, "It's too much meat. I don't want to look at a burger again for awhile."

Mr. Mulford agreed.

"It's a lot more meat than you think," he said. "After about the first 10 ounces I was full. The winner, I can't believe how quick he finished the 40 ounces."

Mr. Friedman said next year the competition will be used as a charity fundraiser.

"We had a good turnout at both locations," he added. "Everything went very smoothly. They were all pumped and excited, and the staff were all pumped and excited, so that's good."

A Monster Sham challenge always awaits beef lovers at the store -- anyone who finishes one in the restaurant wins a $5 gift certificate.

Mr. Storms will compete for the title of grand champion Feb. 2 in Scarborough, with the winner taking home a trophy, prize pack and $50 gift certificate. Upping the rivalry for the stores, the winning location also gets a trophy to display.

To check out Shamrock Burgers, which is looking to open new locations in Ajax and Oshawa, visit www.shamrockburgers.com.

Reporter Tara Hatherly can be found on Twitter @Tara_Hatherly and on Facebook by searching Tara Hatherly.